Brake gauge



/s v /l/ July 19, 1949. v R Wl EPLER 2,476,484

BRAKE GAUGE Filed June 2, 1947 2 sheets-Sheet 1 (ln/oculto@ @gg/mma] ZZ/arre/z fla/ef' l .July i9, 1949. R; W, EPLER; K 2,476,484

BRAKE GAUGE Filed June 2, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented July 19, 1949 This :invention relates'w'mtomobibrake gages. 'f

u One of the objkevts of this invention is to'fbrovide adorakegagelo'f 'the oh'a'ate described which is simple'as 'tof-eons'truction; 'srrialLv compact "and reliable i and v'accurate in operationfor determining drumfirregularities andenteringfbrake-shoes o'f allitypes *of present day Lmotor Vehicle f brakes.

'Ariotherobject ofi'thisinvention is toj'provide 'a brake gage of-thechara-ter described which may be vquickly vand positively Ycentered on brake drums ofstandar'd 'size loryvhich "have heenv` Worn oversize; then' lWithout '-further' adjustrrient-readily and easily applied and'o`p`e`1 '2`te,d tto "eenterthe brake shoes for theipurposeof setting'theshoes withjprop er'clearanceoftheliningifrom the'zparticular drum whether the latter is fio'f lstand'ard size or hashe'enworn 'over-size.

" With "the foregoing `objects `in' View, wget-lierl with su'ch other objects Aand 'advantages "as Amay subsequently, appear, thes invention ."resides'*v inthe parts 'andi in; the combination, 'construction rand arrangement of parts' @hereinafter 'described aridr claimed, and illustrated byiwayo'f examplejin the.:

accompanying drawing," invwl'lich:

Fig. 1` is a; topplan yiewota brakefgageernhodying the presentinventionvif'ithparts 'brokerr'away and shown in section, y i

lig. 2 is a side elevation '."ifthe brake `gage With parts' broken .away and shownfin section, A

Fig.',4 isa longitudinalisetiorialvieW-taken*on theiline--d'lof' Fig. I3,

*Figs is an lelevational#viewfltheesteelasfwhenused to center thebr'ake Ysloefarid Fig. 6. is a fragmentary sectional the'lineB-I lof Fig. 5.

shown in the. aocompanyingidrawings"my improved gage includesja pair of guide rods v'l and' tti-corresponding endsdf vflii'chalStation'irx7 gageY block 9` of rectangulariorm Ais fixed byfnieans ofthe pins'IU. Aisimil'ar 'gagefblockl Ifl'iaving transverseV bores ,I2 through "Whiehthe' rods"1 viewitake on and 8 extend, is "slidabie on saidrods between'1` ameter of 'threestandardsizesofbrake" drums to -f innersurfaoeffof the 'ange of'avbrak'e drumfn while the blocks 9=`and il Irstibntheied'geoffthe drum ange as shownin Figs. 3 and 4. Nuts 2| on the pins I9 and 2B provide for holding the pins in proper zposition. The-,.adjustmentof ,the pins is :provided fvfor--toi-eompensate or wear on the points thereof andstomake itpossible tov-initially set thepins in'vproperjposition.

- fGaige ,posts e2 2- and 23 :are vertically l-adjustaloly mountedfin vertiealibores in "theblocks -I Iand..9 respeetivelybeingf-adaptedsto Y be heldiindesined Vpositions:l: y meansaof' the fset @screws r24. ,These the'fgagezpins finnfaildiameter-readings made- With saidzpins:andsaidiposts-thereforeaiord--a centercof :':theedrum T"asvweil @as :the centering of the hrakeiishoes asvfwhbefhereinafter vfully described. flfMountedttosiiderbaokiand forthfonthe-rods Y'I andi B'doetween'gageblooksfB--end- I I `is'. al'substantiaiy squarecenteringbl'oek 5--,-Whioh-has smooth bores 26 exteningfthroughf itl forithefrods -11-.and 8. f The *rod' ristscirew rthreaded and yhasf1ockinvg nutsz2f1f2arrdi2'8; turnable thereonfor-contact with oppositersidesofithe Iehlo'ok `2511s@ thatthe Violook mayfbeiheldinaccuratelyz-oentered position.

fs'Aeylindrioali)earmgecup'isextendedthrough.

- areertral? opening :3U-'iin the'fgcentering block 25 beingifsweated `-'riressriittedforothemvise xedein said fxapening. @bearing :disk :v3 I vis `vremovably zth'erefor sat fthefupperfrendfof and rotatably supported by means of the pivot pin 33 so that a micrometer head 39 on the outer end of the arm may -be swung around between the posts 22 and 23 in the operation of centering the gage in the brake drum. The arm 38 has a screw threaded portion 40 which is turned in the screw threaded bore 35 in the head 36 of the pin 33 whereby the arm may be axially adjusted in the centering operation of the gage. The graduations on the micrometer head 39 are read againstrthe center ofthe post 22 or post 23 as the case may -be to determine the amount of movement of the arm 38. As the operator will look down on the head 39 and particular gage post at which 'the head 39 is located, in reading the graduation on the head, it is apparent that the .center of 'theA Figs. 5 and 6 show how a suitable adapter sleeve Operation The gage is placed upon the drum as shown in Fig. 4, with the fixed block 9 resting on the drum while the outer end of the gage pin bears against the drum flange. The slide block II is now moved outwardly to bring the gage pin I9 against the drum flange. If the inner edge of the slide block II when said block is in this position comes in registry with the one of the markings I4, I5 `and I6 on the rod1, which markingr indicates the original inside diameter of the particular drum under test, the set screws I3 are tightened to set the block I I.

The center block is now released for free sliding movement by backing away the nuts 21 and 28 and the operator then swings the arm 38 and axially adjusts it while sliding the block 25 untilthe head 39 fixed on the arm will contact the posts 22 and 23 alike, thus centering the block 25 which is then set in centered position by screwing the nuts 21 and 28 back against'such block.

If the block II is out of registry with the particular marking on the rod 1 for example the marking I4, as shown in a greatly exaggerated manner in Fig. 3, when the initial application of the gage pins I9 and 2l) is made, this indicates wear of the drum beyond its normal or original diameter and that a diierent manipulation of the gage is necessary to center the block 25. In this centering operation the block II is moved rfrom the extended position in which pin I9 contacts the drum ange, back to a position in which the block registers with the proper diameter-indicating mark on the rod 1 (for example the mark I4), and the set screws I3 are tightened to set thev block. The operator now centers the block 25 in the manner rst above noted. Next the block II is released and moved back to the position in which the pin I9 contacts the drum for example as shown in Fig. 3, then the arm 38 is swung to bringV the head 39 opposite the post 22, the'head 39 being then spaced inwardly from said post. The micrometer reading on the top of the head 39 is noted and the head is turned to axially extend the rod 38 suiciently to contact the post. 22while noting the micrometer reading as indexed from the center of the post, to compute the extent, for example in thousandths of an inch that the drum is 01T its original diameter. Assuming that the micrometer reading shows the drum as being twenty thousandths oversize then the operator turns the head 39 back one-half that amount to retract the arm 38 onehalf of the distance it was extended to contact post 22, in other words, ten thousandths of an inch and the block 25 is then moved toward the post 22 until the head 39 again contacts the post thereby centering the block 25 with respect to the particular oversized drum. The arm 38 may be swung around to contact post 23 to check the correctness of this centering operation and should contact both posts alike. The block 25 is now set in centered position by means of the nuts 21 and 28. The bearing disk 3l with the pin 33 and arm 38 are now removed from the cup 29 and preferably the block II is removed thereby preparing the gage for application to the axle spindle to center the brake shoes as shown in Figs. 5 and 6.- The Vremoval of the block II makes it easier to apply the gage for centering the brake shoes. y

The adapter sleeve 4I is now placed on the spindle B asr shown in Fig. 6 and the cup 29 is tted onto the adapter sleeve so that the gage may be freely rotated to bring the post 23 on the block 9 into position to circumscribe the brake lining D on the shoes C. By swinging the gage in this manner and noting the spacing of the post 23 as it is moved .over the outer surface of the brake lining on the shoes, it is possible to readily determine the proper setting of the brake shoes to provide for the proper heel and toe clearances of the shoes.

The shoes are then adjusted as necessary to provide proper centering and clearance as ascertainedA by the gage for the particular drum, whether the latter is of standard diameter or is worn oversize. If it is necessary to apply shims to the shoes, the micrometer readings ascertained in centering the gage on oversized drums makes it possible to accurately shim up the shoes.

It will now be seen that my improved gage may be readily and easily operated to center standard and oversize drums in a positive and accurate manner and then applied without further centering adjustment to as readily-center the brake shoes for the particular drum. Y

While I Ahave shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention I do not limit myself to the exact details of construction set forth, and the invention embraces such changes, modications and equivalents of the parts and their formation and arrangement as come within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim:` Y

1. In a brake gage, a pair of parallel guide rods, a stationary gage block fixed to corresponding ends of said rods, an adjustable gage block slidable on said rods toward and away from said stationary block, gage pins von said blocks in diametrically opposed relation to one another having corresponding ends disposed to contact opposite points on the inner side of the flange of a brake drum while said blocks rest on said ange, an upstanding gage post carried by each of said blocks, said posts having their opposed surfaces spaced apart a distance equal tothe distance between said ends of said pins, a center block slidable on saidrods, means for releas'ably locking said center block in adjusted position, means for releasably locking said adjustable gage block in adjusted position, a bearing cupV fixedA onsaid center block, a gage arm'and means rotatagrege-1 `isbiyfsupportingesaiiflfsarnrincfsaid:currforsswingiiag Vmorenaeritlmeimreen Gsaidfposts, .4 ciudingameans andssaid-arm Ebetngfwemovablefifromthe-:gage f Wherebyssaid 'fcupfmay bearotatab'lyimounted on an v'lax-lef spindlefforffmoing saidfposts overL't-he brak'esshoessto'reffect aY-proper settingif the-@shoes ine-accordanceiwiththessettingrfofithef gagel posts. @2; in -'-a brake -gagefea zpairilofe'parallel '-guide rolis,'a'stationary gage-biock-fixed'to corresponding=eridsof `sa",id'-io'ds,V ian adjustable 'gage block slidble on sa-idfrds toward@and-awayi fromsad stationary*blockfgagepinsson*saidbblocks inf'diamtricaliy opposedrrlationctoone anotherfshaving v c orrespondingeerfdsfdisposedi to 'contact-prepositepoints omtherinner 'aside lofi the flange of a brake drum Whilesaid.blocks.,rest on said flange, an upstandinggage post carriedA4 by each of said blocks, said tposts shavingttheir :opposed surf aces spaced apart a distance equal tontherdistance. between saidcendspf ,said,lpins,.,.a 4centenblock slidable on said'r'o'ds, means'for releasably locking said center block in adjustedrposition, meansfor reieasablylocking-said-adjustablewageiblock-iin adtusteki positionga-bearing cupxedrfon-:said centerblock; .ar-gage -arm-and'means rotatably supporting saidmarm-in risa-id f'cirp' for .swinging movement betweenf'saidqpestswincluding means for axially adjusting said arm on the turning Atheredf -aboutfitssownaxisthefoutenendfofsaid of the arm necessary to bring said end into like contact with said posts to center said center block relative to the brake drum, said adjustable gage block being removed from said rods and said arm and the supporting means therefor being removed after centering said center block; said cup being constructed and arranged to be applied to an axle spindle so that the gage may be turned thereon to bring the post on said stationary block into gaging relation to the brake shoes of the brake unit being tested.

3. In a brake gage, a stationary gage block, a pair of spaced parallel guide rods having corresponding ends fixed to said block, an adjustable gage block slidably mounted on said rods, gage pins mounted on the undersicles of said blocks with correspondingI ends disposed to contact diametrically opposite points on the inner surface of the flange of a brake drum while said blocks rest on the outer edge of said flange, set screws for setting said adjustable block in adjusted positions, said blocks having vertical bores therein, upstanding gage posts adjustably mounted in said bores, said posts being spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between said ends of said pins, said posts being extensible below said blocks, means adjustably supporting said pins on said blocks whereby said pins may be adjusted so that said ends thereof will contact said posts when the latter are extended below the blocks thereby to set said pins and posts in corresponding gaging positions after which the posts are extended above said pins, set screws for setting said posts above said pins, a center block slidable on said rods, means for releasably locking said center block in centered position on said rods, a gage arm, a pivot member rotatable on said center block and removable therefrom, said pivoted member havinga screw threaded transverse bore, said gage arm being screw threaded and turned in said bore in said pivot member whereby the ann is arotatablyesupportedr for-swinging cmovement:betas/eenl said posts,andimaytbesaxiallyrad justed tto fbring'zits Louter s end into ccontact: fwith said posts Fto centeresaid center blockrelative 1 to the particularbralee:.drumpsaidi armhaving :micrometersgradnationsi:onf its -i odtera'end subject to fbeing:iindexedfffromflthefcenter line vof either cffsaidagagepestsit indicatethe-extentof'turning oftheiarmeabou itsrown axis-'necessary tof-contact #sai-d fpostsf: in fzthe centering `-@oft-said center blocks-saidiadjustable'gage :blocks -andsa-id: center arm `fandlpivot `Vmemberbeing` removed `'from the gage afterithe centering-ot sa-idf' center block -and a* bearing@ memberfl centered cn .,saidf-Icenterblock and I1adapted'"lto:be:mounted:cntlie `,axle spindle wherebyttlie'lgage'lmaytbef-swi1ng aroundv thereon to -v-gage Ithe`--1braketimes for the-'particular 'drum bybi'in-ging:Lthepostjorresad :Stationary l'oloclzkl into gagingposition Lrelative "toesaid-'shoea '14. @In -bralee V gage, 'af'stationar-y -'gage f block,- a pain-cfaspacedfparallel `Vguide-'rodsf-'havingY correspending ends-flxed" tos'aidE bloek,-anadjustable gage e'block -s1-idably mounted on-said rrods, gage pins 'mounted "orr` they under-sides i 'of saidblocks with'-eorresponiiingcendsIdispcsedtocontact diametrica'l'ly opposite t points L on* v,the Afirmer surface of I'the jflangeeof abrake 4drumwhile-said blocks rest'onf'theouter edge ofsaid'filangefset screws forsetting-paid*adjustable* block1 in V`adji-iste'd positions, said blocks having vertical bores therein, upstanding "gage g posts adjustably mounted in said bores, said pos-tsj*beingu spaced apart a distanceequalftothefdistance fbetw'een said ends of n*said-mins, saidfpo'stsbeing extensiblbelow saidblocks :means adjustably'supporting saidpins on said blocks whereby said pins may be adjusted so that said ends thereof will contact said posts when the latter are extended below the blocks, thereby to set said pins and posts in corresponding gaging positions after which the posts are extended above said pins, set screws for setting said posts above said pins, a center block slidable on said rods, means for releasably lockingI said center block in centered position on said rods, a gage arm, a pivot member rotatable on said center block and removable therefrom, said pivoted member having a screw threaded transverse bore, said gage arm being screw threaded and turned in said bore in said pivot member whereby the arm is rotatably supported for swinging movement between said posts and may be axially adjusted to bring its outer end into contact with said posts to center said center block relative to the particular brake drum, said arm having micrometer graduations on its outer end subject to being indexed from the center line of either of said gage posts to indicate the extent of turning of the arm about its own axis necessary to contact said posts in the centering of said center block, said adjustable gage block and said center arm and pivot member being removed from the gage after the centering of said center block and a bearing member centered on said center block and adapted to be mounted on the axle spindle whereby the gage may be swung around thereon to gage the brake shoes for the particular drum by bringing the post on said stationary block into gaging position relative to said shoes, there being a bearing disk on said pivot member seated on the upper end of the cup, and a pivot bearing in the bottom of said cup.

5. In a brake gage, a pair of parallel guide rods, a stationary gage block fixed to corresponding ends of said rods, an adjustable gage block slidable on said rods toward and away from said stationary block, gage pins on said blocks in diametrically opposed relation to one another having corresponding ends disposed to contact opposite points on the inner side of the flange o a brake drum while said blocks rest on said flange, an upstanding gage post carried by each of said blocks, said posts having their opposed surfaces spaced apart a distance equal to the distance between said ends of said pins, a center block slidable on said rods, means for releasably locking said center block in adjusted position, means for releasably locking said adjustable gage block in adjusted position, a bearing cup xed on said center block, a gage arm and means rotatably supporting said arm in said cup for swinging movement between said posts, including means for axially adjusting said arm on the turning thereof about its own axis; said last named means and said arm being removable from the gage whereby said cup may be rotatably mounted on an axle spindle for moving said posts over the brake shoes to eiect a proper setting of the shoes in accordance with the setting of the gage posts, lugs depending from said adjustable and stationary blocks and having screw threaded openings vtherein, said bearing pins being screw threaded and axially adjustable in said openings in said lugs, and means for locking said pins in adjusted position. Y

6. In a brake gage, a pair of parallel guide rods, a stationary gage block fixed to said rods, a slidable gage block slidablyV and removably mounted on said rods, gage points on said blocks disposed to contact opposite points on the inner surface of the particular brake drum under test to gage the diameter thereof, upstanding gage posts on said blocks spaced apart in correspondence to said gage points inV all relative adjustments of said blocks, a centering block slidable on said rods, means for releasably locking said centering block in adjusted position, an arm swingably mounted on said centering block for movement to bring an end thereof into contact with said posts, means affording the axial adjustment of said rod relative to said centering block and bearing means on said centering block affording the application of the gage to an axle spindle whereby the gage may be rotated thereon to position at least one of said posts for gaging the shoes of the particular drum.

RAYMOND WARREN EPLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references Vare of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES 'PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Publication: General Operating Instructions Wadell True Vision Brake and Drum Gauge, Wadell Engineering Co., Newark, N. J., Aug. 1. 1928. 

